Is chronic wasting disease transmittable to humans?

While highly transmittable from deer to deer, chronic wasting disease hasn't been found in humans — so far.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against eating meat from sick deer as a precautionary measure.

While it hasn't been found to be transmittable to humans through consumption, like mad cow disease, hunters in areas of high chronic wasting populations are encouraged to have their deer tested and wait for results before consuming the meat.

Because of the length of time between exposure and development of chronic wasting is still unknown, the CDC said years of follow-up are required before any risks to humans are known.

The CDC recommends those involved in field-dressing carcasses from deer with the disease wear gloves, bone-out the meat and minimize handling of the brain and spinal cord tissue.

Doug Dufford, regional biologist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, said just because there aren't any known transmission to humans doesn't mean it won't happen.

"You're dealing with an animal that's sick," Dufford said. "There's a lot that's not known about chronic wasting disease; no one can say at this point a human couldn't get it."

Hunters who have their deer tested are usually notified of results within a few weeks. Dufford said that if an animal tests positive, DNR officials call the hunter and recommend the meat be discarded.

Dufford said that in lab settings, scientists have tested spreading chronic wasting to other animals — with some success. However, the disease hasn't yet been found to transfer naturally to any animals outside of the deer family, and there have been no reported cases of family pets or farm animals contracting it.